Why Tooth Fairy Letters Help Kids Grow

by Rachael Moshman

by Rachael Moshman

Children write letters to Santa as a traditional part of growing up, but why should the jolly guy in red get all the credit? Tooth fairy letters are a great way to reinforce language and literacy skills, socialization and manners and proper dental care. The tooth fairy comes several times a year for most children, which gives you multiple opportunities to put letter writing to work for you. Here are some ways to initiate communication with the tooth collector. (Have younger children draw pictures and dictate their letters to you.)

Dear Diary

Encourage your child to write daily, weekly or monthly entries in a journal. Tell him the tooth fairy likes to keep tabs on her merchandise (teeth!) and its previous owners. Your child can write about school, dentist visits, vacations, birthday parties, the family puppy, books he is reading or whatever else he thinks his tiny friend might be interested in hearing.

'Twas the Night before Tooth Collection

Writing a letter to the tooth fairy to put under the pillow with a lost tooth is a sweet tradition. Your child can describe how long the tooth has been loose, what methods he took to remove it — for example, eating apples or wiggling the tooth a lot — and what he was doing when it finally came out. He might want to include how he feels about losing the tooth or what he hopes will be left under his pillow.

Give Thanks

Although most of us work hard to teach our children the importance of saying "Please" and "Thank you," old-fashioned thank-you notes are becoming a lost art. But they don't have to! Use the tooth fairy as a way to instill the practice in your children. The letter might include details about what the child will do with the payment and perhaps a written plan for how he will ensure that the next tooth is in even better condition.

No matter what method you chose, encouraging your child to write more will benefit them socially, academically and physically by encouraging them to practice important skills needed at school and home and by motivating them to keep their teeth sparkling white for the Tooth Fairy.

Tooth Fairy

Overview

Although many countries around the world have unique traditions to mark the loss of a child's baby teeth, the tooth fairy legend is believed to have originated in the United States in the early part of the 1900s. Tooth fairies all leave behind a gift when they collect a tooth.

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Tips for Being the TOOTH FAIRY

Tooth fairy notes – reinforcing the importance of dental care routines by using notes written by the tooth fairy is a fun way to remind kids to brush and floss. Printable tooth fairy receipts and note cards are available online, or you can design your own.

Tooth fairy pillows – think about getting or making a special tooth pillow with a pocket for the tooth. That way, the "tooth fairy" knows just where to find it without searching underneath your child's head.

Consider skipping the cash – while an 8- or 9-year-old may be excited about money, a younger child will probably not understand the value of money and might be happier with a special treat.

Ready for the Tooth Fairy?

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